Low-Wage LMIA

For positions paying below the provincial or territorial low-wage threshold

Who Qualifies

• Canadian employers in most sectors (excluding moratorium industries) offering wages below the applicable provincial or territorial low-wage threshold, which is updated periodically (most recently July 17, 2026). Check the current threshold on canada.ca before applying, since it varies by province and territory.
• Employers whose worksite is not in a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) with unemployment at or above 6%, unless a recognized exemption applies
• Employers whose low-wage temporary foreign worker complement does not exceed the applicable workforce cap at that worksite

Key Requirements

• Job advertisement must run for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before the application is submitted (increased from 4 weeks as of April 1, 2026).
• Recruitment must include a mandatory youth-focused activity targeting job seekers aged 15 to 30, introduced April 1, 2026, in addition to at least 2 further recruitment methods.
• CMA unemployment restriction: applications for worksites in a CMA with unemployment at or above 6% are generally not processed. Recognized exemptions include certain healthcare, construction, agriculture, and food processing occupations, and positions of 120 days or less. Affected regions are reviewed and can change quarterly, so confirm current status before applying.
• Workforce cap: generally a maximum of 10% of positions at a worksite may be filled through the low-wage stream. A temporary 15% cap applies to eligible rural employers from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
• Employer must pay for round-trip transportation for the temporary foreign worker.
• Employer must provide or arrange affordable housing if the worksite is in a remote location.
• Maximum work permit duration is 1 year, except for positions in primary agriculture.
• $1,000 LMIA application fee per position.

Application Process

1. 1Confirm the current provincial or territorial low-wage threshold on canada.ca and verify the offered wage falls below it.
2. 2Check whether the worksite is in a CMA with unemployment at or above 6%, and if so, confirm whether a recognized exemption applies.
3. 3Verify the current low-wage workforce cap for the worksite (generally 10%, or 15% for eligible rural employers through March 31, 2027).
4. 4Run the job advertisement for 8 consecutive weeks, including the mandatory youth-focused recruitment activity plus at least 2 additional recruitment methods.
5. 5Document every Canadian or permanent resident applicant contacted or interviewed, and the specific reason for non-selection.
6. 6Submit the LMIA application with recruitment evidence, payroll records, and worksite details.
7. 7Upon a positive LMIA, the maximum work permit duration is 1 year (except primary agriculture). Plan for renewal or an alternative pathway before the permit expires.

Where Most Applicants Go Wrong

• Worksite in a CMA with unemployment at or above 6% with no recognized exemption. This is treated as a bar to processing, not a discretionary factor.
• Advertising period under 8 consecutive weeks, or missing the mandatory youth-focused recruitment activity introduced April 1, 2026.
• Low-wage workforce cap exceeded at the worksite before the application was submitted.
• Sector moratorium applies. ESDC periodically restricts low-wage LMIAs in certain sectors and regions.
• Employer unable to demonstrate genuine active recruitment. Posting and removing the advertisement immediately does not satisfy the requirement.